LIFE ON RECENT LAVA FLOWS. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park may be one of the world’s best outdoor classrooms for learning about the colonization of new geological surfaces, a process that ecologists label primary succession. Join botanist Tim Tunison to investigate the characteristic small suite of plant and animal species found on recent lava flows; how rates of colonization differ on ‘a‘a versus pahoehoe and from dry to wet areas; and why there are few alien, invasive plants on recent lava flows. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute, part of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cost per person is $50 for Friends members and $65 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member discount. To register, call (808) 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

Sunday, May 8, 2011 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK. This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park to share in the park’s beautiful trails. Led by Nick Shema, this month’s three-hour, four-mile hike will explore Kilauea Iki Crater. Starting from the park’s resources management area, we will proceed to Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube), drop down onto the Kilauea Iki Trail, come back up via Byron Ledge and Crater Rim Trails, and return to the start. This moderately difficult hike starts at 4,000’ and has a 400’ elevation drop and gain. The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend). Park entrance fees apply. To register, contact Nick Shema at (808) 967-8648 or programs@fhvnp.org. For more info, including directions to the parking area, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive, non-native faya plants that have grown in the Keanakakoi Special Ecological Area since Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park cleared the area a few years ago. Most faya are seedlings that pull easily; a few are maturing trees that we will cut with saws. We’ll also learn about the park's native forest restoration program and control of invasive plants in Special Ecological Areas. Keanakakoi has a wonderful ‘ohi‘a forest with a nice variety of native under-story plants and cindery soil. Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over uneven terrain. Our goal is a crew of 16 people, and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org. For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

NATIVE INSECTS: A FIELD DISCOVERY. Join Hawai‘i insect specialist David Foote to look for Kamehameha butterflies, longhorn beetles, fruit flies, and happyface spiders in Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park). Hawaii’s native insect fauna has undergone many examples of spectacular adaptive radiations, and we’ll look for examples of these evolutionary processes in some of the more common native insect species. We’ll also talk about the functional role of insects in Hawai‘i’s native ecosystems, the impact of invasive alien insects, and the conservation of native Hawaiian insects. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes Institute, part of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cost per person is $35 for Friends members and $50 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the Friends in order to get the member discount. To register, call (808) 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.